The final of the Austrian Open in the EUROPARK shopping mall was the dream final between the top seed Christopher Binnie from Jamaica and local hero and number two seed Aqeel Rehman, who was also organising the event.

On the final day of the Austrian Squash challenge there was a busy schedule with a big raffle, a show programme of american football and a doubles exhibition.

At 16:30 it was time for the PSA final. There was a packed crowed with every single seat and spot in the gallery taken.

Both players started very solid with long basic rallies. Towards the end of the game it was Aqeel who managed to create a little lead and took the first game 11/7.

The next two games were very one sided to the Jamaican. Christopher kept playing very strong and solid, letting the Austrian Champion not pass him. Chris took the lead after winning game two and three 11/6 and 11/1.

It looked like Aqeel would not be able to turn around the game but he showed better focus in the fourth game. The rallies were very even again, with great effort of both players. The spectators saw intense rallies and lots of court coverage from the athletes.

At 8/7 to Chris there wa sa disputed pick up drop shot from Aqeel, who was sure the ball was up. However the referee was not sure and Chris show great sportsmanship to aknowledge the point to Aqeel.

Unfortunately for Chris it was somehow a turnig point as he lost the game 8/11 and in the fifth game it was also the local favorite who kept the momentum on his side, racing to a 7/2 lead. The Jamaican looked tired but he still made it very tense as he fought back point after point to 6/7. From then on it went point after point and the Austrian kept the slight two point lead until 10/8. Chris saved one match ball, but eventually Aqeel won the next rally to win the game 11/9 after 62 min. It was his eight PSA tour title and his second home win after 2013 when he overcame Chris Ryder.

Thanks to all the sponsors who made this event possible, especially the EUROPARK. The Austrian Squash Challenge was a two week event with many hands-on activities for the spectators and great advertising for the squash. Even national TV came around for some shooting!

The shopping mall and the city of Salzburg confirmed their will to host this event at least until 2019!

]]>2431Traumfinale zwischen Christopher Binnie gegen Aqeel Rehman!https://squash-im-europark.at/traumfinale-zwischen-christopher-binnie-gegen-aqeel-rehman/
Fri, 12 May 2017 19:47:55 +0000http://squash-im-europark.at/?p=2426It will be the dream final of the Austrian Open betwen the two top seeds Christopher Binnie (JAM) and home hero Aqeel Rehman (AUT).

]]>2414Aqeel Rehman keeps the flag up at the Austrian Openhttps://squash-im-europark.at/2406-2/
Thu, 11 May 2017 18:28:22 +0000http://squash-im-europark.at/?p=2406Today the quarterfinals of the Austrian Open were on programme in the EUROPARK Shopping mall as a part of the Austrian Squash Challenge.

Top seed Christopher Binnie (JAM) started against Qualifier Miko Äjianen (FIN). It was a very disputed game with a lot of collisions. Äjianen managed to come back from 0/2 down in games to level at 2 all. But Binnie stayed cool and took the deciding game 11/6 after a 81min battle.

Qualifier Rory Stewart (SCO) nearly caused for an upset too against fourth seed Mohammad Alsarraj from Jordan. The Scottsman wasn’t able to take the first game at 10/8 and also missed a great chance at 2/1 lead in games and 8/2 in the fourth. Sarraj turned the match around and won 11/9 in the fifth game.

Edmon Lopez from Spain made some time up after beating Dimitri Steinmann 3/0.

The last match was local hero Aqeel Rehman against Adrian Ostbye (NOR). Aqeel took the first two games before the Norwegian fought back to 2/1. But Aqeel was able to close the match in the fourth.

]]>2379Aqeel Rehman only Austrian left to keep the flag up at EUROPARKhttps://squash-im-europark.at/aqeel-rehman-only-austrian-left-to-keep-the-flag-up-at-europark/
Wed, 10 May 2017 17:30:59 +0000http://squash-im-europark.at/?p=2363It was big action today on the all glasscourt at EUROPARK shopping mall when the first round of the main draw started with eight matches on schedule. Players from 15 different nations are competing for the title and 5.000 USD prize money as well as PSA world ranking points.

It all started with an upset when Scottish qualifier Rory Stewart beat the Italian number seven seed Yuri Farneti 3/0.

Qualifier Miko Äjianen caused another upset when he beat sixth seed Mark Broekman from England in three games.

But after that it went according to the seeding. Spanish number three seed Edmon Lopez showed no mercy for the next qualifier Chris Leiper, also from Scotland and also eight seed Adrian Ostbye from Norway celebrated a 3/0 victory over Englishman Robert Dadds, as well as top seed Christopher Binnie from Jamaica who took German youngster Yannik Omlor out of the tournament with another 3/0 victory.

With a close 3/2 from fourth seed Mohammad Alsarraj over David Zeman from Czech Republic all top four players made it into the quarterfinal, thanks to a 3/0 win from home favorite and organizer Aqeel Rehman against Nick Mulvey from England. He managed to stay on top of the quick Englishmen from the beginning on.

Unfortunately the Salzburg based Austrian record Champion will be the only home player in the tournament left, as Wildcard Jakob Dirnberger, also born in Salzburg lost in a close five game battle against young Swiss player and fifth seed Dimitri Steinmann. It was a good performance of Jakob though who could count on home support. But Dimitri was too good in the deciding fifht game.

Highlights of both matches will be shown on Austrian national television on Thursday.